Life from my point of view

Category Archives: Health and wellness

The news has been repeating this piece of information for over a few months. A recorded 6 deaths for the period since June of 2011; quite a surprise for the locals in Singapore, not to mention the location. It is an amazing feat for a park so small an area, but becoming a highlighted trend in Singapore’s forms of burial rituals. So far, a majority of recorded deaths are classified as unnatural, and pending investigation. Sometimes, the writer wonders if this kind of investigations necessary.

One example the writer would like to draw on was the case involving a mother and child, embraced in death. The water burial caused a huge uproar among citizen, who are unable to fathom the necessity of such a lavish form of burial. Covering an area of approximately 0.88km², it is no wonder a burial site like this is the latest talk of the town. But so far with 6 signing up for such burial over a span of 5 months, business seem to look positive for the reservoir, if only most of these thoroughly soaked recipients could give an accurate account for their preferred choice of burial method. Giving a more accurate account for their choice of burial could help investigators close their case on them(the deceased), saving on tax-payer’s money, and allowing them investigators to focus on more important criminal cases.

The writer therefore concludes the necessity of water burial is solely based on individual’s preference. But the writer would like to caution members who are interested in signing up for such burials, to be very mindful to the public’s opinion of your (the soon-to-be deceased) actions. Keeping a good account of your intention to be buried in the fair waters of Bedok Reservoir, is vital to saving time and money borne by tax-payers; and it to the tax-payers interest (including the writer), that they be duly informed of your choice, so at least we (the tax-payers) know what miscellaneous are worth paying for. One method you (soon-to-be deceased) can do is to leave a note to your next-of-kin, or someone you trust. Such note can be in written form of any language, or a recorded audio or video. Then set your affairs straight, such as leaving a duly signed will attached with a copy of your identification. Once all affairs are set straight, then you may peacefully depart. Of course, it is subjected to your inner-voice approval.

*The writer here would like to leave on a caution note that such intentions are illegal in Singapore, and would urge all readers with similar intentions to reconsider their options, and not do silly things. There are help available, and you (the one-with-such-intentions) only need to ask.

I was in a train traveling uptown to meet up with my friends. The train approaches Tiong Bahru station, and in comes 3 ladies to the carriage. The eldest of the 3, I assumed to be the relative, was guiding the younger girl by the arm. At first glance, she seem all normal, and shows no expression of abnormalities. When after she was guided to her seat, and she starts questioning. But all she ever uttered was broken up words that doesn’t seem to make any sense, neither could I pin point the origin of the language. The relative beats off her hand gently whenever she tries to speak with gestures, and signals her to keep her silence.
I made a 3 minute sneak observation, taking to mind the actions of the girl, and her caregiver. The girl seem to want to get to something her other relative is holding(an iPad). Bur her gesture was swept off by the eldest. I notice a slight passing of irritation on the girl’s face, but just slight. The youngest was ignorant to the whole scene, engrossed in the game on the iPad. She let the issue drop, and continued her small talk and gesturing, all met with ignorance or dismissal.
I believe I just encountered a sufferer of aphasia.

Just this evening after my less-than-colourful run/walk halfway around Bedok Resv (Blame it on poor planning; imagine when a majority lives and works in the western side of Singapore, to put their "light" work down 45~60 mins earlier, grab a car, drive halfway across the tiny-like-sesame-seed country to the eastern side just for a thrill of running 4.3km around a park; and finding yourself stuck without proper place to park the car…How shallow can these organizers go??)

So as stated earlier, I did complete the event to my own time, own target and with 2 pretty good kakis as well. In fact, techincally, we did a bigger round than what the rest of the lot put through (2.5km to and back the same route, as I park my car in the other newer carpark unknown to the others), alright to say, I feel we did our best. If Eric Law or Joyce Chong thinks otherwise, they do not have much work to do in the company anyway! I rest my case.

Back to my main point, I was getting ready to send my kakis home when I check my phone to find 4 missed calls from my dad; thinking he was trying to be funny again (my dad enjoys playing prank on me). So I called him back and he told me my uncle landed himself into critical care at SGH (for the ignorant, SGH is Singapore General Hospital) Apparently, he was getting better already when on a whim and being a bull-head, he yank out the flexi-tube that allows him food and medical ingestion (pureed) from his nose. In doing so, he has caused abrasions from his nasal cavity, down the Pharynx, Epiglottis, and all along the Esophagus. So food, liquid and the blood from the abrasions got mixed together and goes up the Esophagus and flows all over and into the wrong directions. It caused him to choke, to bleed from his nose; as well as leaving loads of infections and obstructive-respiratory conditions. That causes his eventual extension of stay in hospital; as well as being put to lie only on a side to prevent back flow of liquid and choke himself again. Being a bull-head, he is stubborn to a T, and will fight to lie in the position he prefers.

It was what I saw that got me thinking again: Wouldn’t it be ideal to construct a clamp-like supressor that can be adjusted to contour to a person’s rest position; at the same time, to be locked to the allocated position so it will make futile attempts for the patient to change position. A standard triangular theory will be necessary as a base calculation for the design. I do not know if such a thing even existed before but probably it will provide help to patients who are required to rest in a stipulated position until deemed fit to be let off.

My Question: Is it possible?? Anyone who has a background in ergonomics science, are you able to advice me on this situation further??

Thanks to my fellow Readers. You guys are wonderful!

Prayers to my bull-headed uncle; and hope for once, he will be good to listen to medical instructions.

There has been recent news about the pass of a young Singaporean triathlete due to uncertain cardiac problems. It is stated in a report that he collapsed right after finishing the race. Doctors have assessed this case as cardiac failure due to unseen heart problems of sort that wasn’t detected because he did not go for a thorough checkup.

I believe they are right in this case. Having a thorough check will ensure if one is fit enough to face the challange put to him. But I believe this isn’t exactly the case. There may have been something that either the press did not point out, or wasn’t given the info by the medics. It’s a very simple case, but it might play a major part in how the young triathlete train and prevent them from hurting themselves, even fatally.

It is the issue of overtaxation when one exercises his/her body. Lets’ not say in biology terms; in the context of a normal engine. Just to say, you let an engine run to it’s ideal capacity of say 90% load; and it has been running for 5 years with little fluctuation between 90% and 100% load, which is normal in many cases. But suddenly, there is a demand of load, maybe additional 40-50%. and the engine will take the load, as it is build with a tolerance level. but when the load maintains at this rate (150% max) for about a month or more, it starts wearing the engine down. The lifespan of the engine shortens, and just one fine day, it breaks down.

This theory, if applied to the human cardiac system, or any part of the body, will render the same effects. It has been said in the papers, that the althlete has been training vigorously for some time before the actual competition, to a point of training more than his normal routine. What may have happened is that by training in a higher than your normal standard, you are subjecting to a higher stress level than your body can get used to at such a short time. If you are healthy enough and train at that constant level, your body might get used to the new level of endurance. If not, your body might give up and collapse. There is a point to take in mind when testing a new limit in training, that you have to be sure to do additional training in small portions at a time, so to make sure your body can get used to the new level of stress, before adding more. Each time, give a duration so that it will not overstress the body trying to keep up the pace. Try not to push your body to the overtax limit at a sudden burst, just because you are a month away from the actual competition. One may not notice the initial reaction, but after some time, your body will show signs of wear and tear. When it goes unnoticed, it will soon break down.

Well, it’s a prediction I drew up while observing some engines being tested while I was working in China. I do not know if it is medically applicable, but it may well be possible guess. (even if it is, I am in no position to receive any noble prize because it’s only simple logic)

As such, I’m pretty certain my rantings can end here. Till another time when I find a good topic to ponder on.